As government contractors and defense organizations navigate an increasingly competitive talent market, cleared recruiters are being called to sharpen their outreach strategies and expand their networks. Whether you’re looking to connect with security-cleared professionals, explore recruiting tech trends, or showcase your employer brand, these 2025 events will keep you at the forefront of national security hiring.
Top Events for Cleared Recruiters in 2025
ClearanceJobs regularly hosts security-cleared-only career events, combining in-person networking with virtual access. Recruiters gain direct access to pre-screened cleared talent ranging from IT and cybersecurity to intel and linguistics. Here are some other events you should note.
1. AI+ Expo
Dates: June 2-4, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C.
Why Attend: This year we are excited to run the talent marketplace, where exhibitors can meet with attendees to explore career pathways and build meaningful professional relationships. You can post your job links on your company profile, as well as on the Talent Marketplace discussion boards. Booth staff will be able to make appointments with specific attendees, and attendees can make appointments with specific booth staff. We will also be offering free resume reviews, career coaching, and venues to meet with technical talent.
2. AFCEA TechNet ConferencesÂ
TechNet Cyber: June 2-4, 2025
Why Attend: These events gather military, government, and industry professionals to discuss and demo cutting-edge tech in national defense. Recruiters can connect with top-tier technical talent who hold active clearances and a mission-first mindset.
3. ClearanceJobs Connect (and the mini event series TBD)
Dates: Sept 18-19, 2025
Location: Reston, VA
Why Attend: Hosted by ClearanceJobs, ClearanceJobs Connect West, East, and the mini satellite series we’ll be hosting includes a career fair to reach cleared candidates and recruiter / security officer training.
4. Intelligence and National Security Summit
Dates: September 18-19, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area
Why Attend: Hosted by AFCEA and INSA, this summit brings together senior intel community leaders and defense talent. Attending shows your commitment to mission-aligned recruiting and policy awareness.
5. Cleared Job Fairs (Hosted by ClearanceJobs)
Dates: Monthly throughout 2025
Locations: Arlington, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; Virtual; MANY MORE
Why Attend: These career fairs offer access to cleared job seekers across industries. Events are in person for meaningful conversation and virtual to make connections across the globe. Sometimes, pre-event resume access is included. Pro Tip: Subscribe to the ClearanceJobs newsletters to get early access and promotion options.
6. Virginia Works Job Fairs
Why Attend: These niche job fairs are gaining traction with mid-career and transitioning military professionals. They often include pre-vetted resume books and targeted candidate access.
7. Oracle Cloud Summit
Dates: June 9 – 13, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV
Why Attend: While not clearance-specific, the talent pool is highly technical, and many candidates are pursuing or eligible for clearance. Great for pipelining passive candidates.
Tips for Cleared Recruiters
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Leverage Pre-Screening Tools: Many events offer resume databases—use them early to prioritize high-value candidates.
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Partner with a Security-Cleared Platform: Platforms like ClearanceJobs allow you to pre-engage with cleared candidates attending these events.
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Promote Your Clearance Sponsorship: Make it known if your company will sponsor TS/SCI or Polygraph upgrades—that’s a major candidate differentiator.
The second half of the 2025 hiring landscape for cleared talent will be fast-moving, technical, and security-sensitive. Aligning your recruiting calendar with the events above ensures you’re not just chasing cleared candidates—you’re meeting them where they are, ahead of the curve.
